This month began with an exceptional success in Kenya, further promoting our impact center for off-grid technology in Africa. In accordance with the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy, accompanied by the Shibolet law firm, are establishing a demonstration center in Kenya for training, technology assimilation, sales and installation of innovative Israeli solutions aimed to produce clean energy, clean water, heat, cooking gas and agricultural tech.
By enabling farmers to increase their harvest and food production the project will encourage a use reduction in natural resources (especially timber burning for energy). Research and data collection during the technology assimilation will allow engagement of the local farmers in the process and development of additional solutions to answer the farmers’ needs.
The leap was made this month when agreements were signed with three local economic dairy cooperatives, reaching thousands of people. The small holder farmers supply their milk to the cooperatives, thus opening a unique opportunity for technology demonstration in 3 locations: the milk collection centers, leading farmers houses, and in centers such as schools where cooking capacity and hot water is needed in large quantities. Through the expected positive user experience in these demonstrations we hope to encourage the farmers to buy the technologies.
During the visit we backed this plan by agreements with financing agents (leading banks in Kenya), promoting the financing plan which will allow farmers to purchase the technologies. We added a new partner, a local agricultural renowned business organization. Agreement focuses on collaboration regarding the agricultural produce and logistical solutions.
In conjunction with the demonstration center in Kenya, a development center will be established in the Arava to work continuously on addressing the challenges we face in Kenya. Consequently, providing additional solutions that will strengthen the local population and market whilst strengthening technological development in Israel.
Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Initiative has worked for 12 years in developing the Arava through the field of renewable energy. In the scope of this activity, Eilat-Eilot initiated the establishment of a technological incubator/investment fund – Capital-Nature, advancing technologies for clean energy, and the demonstration and training center for off grid technologies at Kibbutz Ketura. Every two years, Eilat-Eilot organizes Israel’s official international conference for clean energies and technological innovation and also established a center of academic study for engineering students from the Technion, Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University, Afeka Engineering College and Rupin College.
Shibolet and Attorney Orit Marom Albeck specialize extensively in the field of cleantech, entrepreneurship and environmental protection. Shibolet are partners to a large number of successful economic enterprises in the field of renewable energy and cleantech innovation. They are among the establishing partners in Nature Capital and accompany many of the activities in the renewable energy field in Israel and worldwide.
The initial financing needed to begin the project will come from a private investor and we are all hopeful that we will be able to launch the project in this coming August.
